wheel Oldsmobile Intrigue 2002 Owner's Manuals
Page 14 of 363
1-8
In most states and Canadian provinces, the law says to
wear safety belts. Here's why: They work.
You never know if you'll be in a crash. If you do have a
crash, you don't know if it will be a bad one.
A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be so
serious that even buckled up a person wouldn't survive.
But most crashes are in between. In many of them,
people who buckle up can survive and sometimes walk
away. Without belts they could have been badly hurt
or killed.
After more than 30 years of safety belts in vehicles,
the facts are clear. In most crashes buckling up does
matter ... a lot!
Why Safety Belts Work
When you ride in or on anything, you go as fast as
it goes.Take the simplest vehicle. Suppose it's just a seat on wheels.
Page 30 of 363
1-24 How the Air Bag System Works
Where are the air bags?
The driver's air bag is in the middle of the
steering wheel.
The right front passenger's air bag is in the instrument
panel on the passenger's side.
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1-25
CAUTION:
If something is between an occupant and an air
bag, the bag might not inflate properly or it
might force the object into that person causing
severe injury or even death. The path of an
inflating air bag must be kept clear. Don't put
anything between an occupant and an air
bag, and don't attach or put anything on the
steering wheel hub or on or near any other air
bag covering.
When should an air bag inflate?
An air bag is designed to inflate in a moderate to severe
frontal or near
-frontal crash. The air bag will inflate
only if the impact speed is above the system's designed
ªthreshold level.º If your vehicle goes straight into a
wall that doesn't move or deform, the threshold level is
about 12 to 18 mph (19 to 29 km/h). The threshold level
can vary, however, with specific vehicle design, so that
it can be somewhat above or below this range.If your vehicle strikes something that will move or
deform, such as a parked car, the threshold level will be
higher. The air bag is not designed to inflate in rollovers,
rear impacts, or in many side impacts because inflation
would not help the occupant.
In any particular crash, no one can say whether an air
bag should have inflated simply because of the damage
to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were.
Inflation is determined by the angle of the impact and
how quickly the vehicle slows down in frontal or
near
-frontal impacts.
What makes an air bag inflate?
In an impact of sufficient severity, the air bag sensing
system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. The sensing
system triggers a release of gas from the inflator, which
inflates the air bag. The inflator, air bag and related
hardware are all part of the air bag modules inside the
steering wheel and in the instrument panel in front of the
right front passenger.
Page 32 of 363
1-26
How does an air bag restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near
-frontal collisions,
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or
the instrument panel. Air bags supplement the protection
provided by safety belts. Air bags distribute the force of
the impact more evenly over the occupant's upper body,
stopping the occupant more gradually. But air bags
would not help you in many types of collisions,
including rollovers, rear impacts and many side impacts,
primarily because an occupant's motion is not toward
those air bags. Air bags should never be regarded as
anything more than a supplement to safety belts,
and then only in moderate to severe frontal or
near
-frontal collisions.What will you see after an air bag inflates?
After an air bag inflates, it quickly deflates, so quickly
that some people may not even realize the air bag
inflated. Some components of the air bag module
-- the
steering wheel hub for the driver's air bag, or the
instrument panel for the right front passenger's
bag
-- will be hot for a short time. The parts of the bag
that come into contact with you may be warm, but not
too hot to touch. There will be some smoke and dust
coming from vents in the deflated air bags. Air bag
inflation doesn't prevent the driver from seeing or from
being able to steer the vehicle, nor does it stop people
from leaving the vehicle.
CAUTION:
When an air bag inflates, there is dust in the air.
This dust could cause breathing problems for
people with a history of asthma or other
breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe to do so.
If you have breathing problems but can't get out
of the vehicle after an air bag inflates, then get
fresh air by opening a window or door.
Page 33 of 363
1-27
In many crashes severe enough to inflate an air bag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the
right front passenger air bag.
Air bags are designed to inflate only once. After they
inflate, you'll need some new parts for your air bag
system. If you don't get them, the air bag system
won't be there to help protect you in another crash.
A new system will include air bag modules and
possibly other parts. The service manual for your
vehicle covers the need to replace other parts.
Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and
diagnostic module, which records information about
the air bag system. The module records information
about the readiness of the system, when the system
commands air bag inflation and driver's safety belt
usage at deployment. The module also records speed,
engine rpm, brake and throttle data.Let only qualified technicians work on your air bag
system. Improper service can mean that your air
bag system won't work properly. See your dealer
for service.
NOTICE:
If you damage the covering for the driver's or the
right front passenger's air bag, the bag may not
work properly. You may have to replace the air
bag module in the steering wheel or both the air
bag module and the instrument panel for the
right front passenger's air bag. Do not open or
break the air bag coverings.
Page 65 of 363
2-
2-1
Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2
-2 Windows
2
-4 Keys
2
-6 Door Locks
2
-11 Remote Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
2
-17 Trunk
2
-18 Theft
2
-20 Passlock
2-20 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-21 Ignition Positions
2
-22 Starting Your Engine
2
-23 Engine Coolant Heater (Option)
2
-24 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
-29 Parking Brake
2
-30 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-32 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-33 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-33 Engine Exhaust2
-34 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
2
-34 Horn
2
-35 Tilt Wheel
2
-35 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-42 Exterior Lamps
2
-45 Interior Lamps
2
-48 Mirrors
2
-52 Storage Compartments
2
-53 Ashtray and Cigarette Lighter
2
-54 Accessory Power Outlets
2
-56 OnStar System (If Equipped)
2
-59 Power Sunroof (Option)
2
-60 HomeLink Transmitter (If Equipped)
2
-64 The Instrument Panel -- Your
Information System
2
-68 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
Page 85 of 363
2-21
Ignition Positions
With the key in the ignition switch, you can turn the key
to four different positions.
Your ignition switch is located on the instrument panel.
A (OFF): This position locks your ignition and
transaxle. It's a theft
-deterrent feature. It's also the
only position from which you can remove your key.
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in OFF and you can't
turn it, be sure you are using the correct key; if
so, is it all the way in? Turn the key only with
your hand. Using a tool to force it could break
the key or the ignition switch. If none of this
works, then your vehicle needs service.
B (ACCESSORY): This position lets you turn off the
ignition. It also lets you use things like the radio and
windshield wipers when the engine is off. In this position
your steering wheel will unlock. Use ACCESSORY if you
must have your vehicle pushed or towed.
C (ON): This position is where the key returns to
after you start the vehicle. With the engine off, you
can use ON to display some of your warning and
indicator lights.
D (START): This position starts your engine.
Page 89 of 363
2-25
Maximum engine speed is limited when your vehicle is
in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) to protect driveline
components from improper operation.
There are several positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P): This position locks your front wheels.
It's the best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle can't move easily.
CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don't leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won't move, even when you're on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº
in the Index.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transaxle shift lock control system. You must fully apply
your regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P)
when the ignition is in ON. If you cannot shift out of
PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever by pushing
it all the way into PARK (P) while keeping the
brake pushed down. Then move the shift lever out
of PARK (P), being sure to press the shift lever button.
See ªShifting Out of PARK (P)º in the Index.
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2-26
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage your transaxle.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle
is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see
ªStuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snowº in the Index.
NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine doesn't
connect with the wheels. To restart when you're already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
CAUTION:
Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while
your engine is ªracingº (running at high speed) is
dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the
brake pedal, your vehicle could move very
rapidly. You could lose control and hit people or
objects. Don't shift out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is racing.
NOTICE:
Damage to your transaxle caused by shifting out
of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine
racing isn't covered by your warranty.
Page 92 of 363
2-28
SECOND (2): This position gives you more power, but
lower fuel economy. You can use SECOND (2) on hills.
It can help control your speed as you go down steep
mountain roads, but then you would also want to use
your brakes off and on.
NOTICE:
Don't drive in SECOND (2) for more than
25 miles (40 km) at speeds over 55 mph
(90 km/h), or you can damage your transaxle.
Use AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D) or
THIRD (3) as much as possible.
Don't shift into SECOND (2) unless you are going
slower than 65 mph (105 km/h), or you can
damage your engine.
FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power
(but lower fuel economy) than SECOND (2). You can
use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the
shift lever is put in FIRST (1), the transaxle won't shift
into first gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
NOTICE:
If your front wheels can't turn, don't try to drive.
This might happen if you were stuck in very deep
sand or mud or were up against a solid object.
You could damage your transaxle. Also, if you
stop when going uphill, don't hold your vehicle
there with only the accelerator pedal. This could
overheat and damage the transaxle. Use your
brakes or shift into PARK (P) to hold your
vehicle in position on a hill.